POLICE have confirmed they were contacted by an official at Northumberland County Council in regards to concerns about the actions of the authority's development arm.

Advance Northumberland is the council's development company, which replaced the scandal-hit Arch in 2018.

However, Northumbria Police have now confirmed that an unnamed official had contacted them over alleged wrongdoing in the company.

A spokeswoman for the police said: "“On Friday, August 7, we received an email from an official at Northumberland County Council in regards to Advance.

"However, as we are yet to speak to the individual about their correspondence, we are unable to add anything further.”

It is understood that no individuals were named within the correspondence.

It comes after the chief executive of the council, Daljit Lally, was suspended on Sunday. In an email sent to all councillors, seen by the Hexham Courant, Mrs Lally said she had "significant concerns" about Advance and that her advice had been ignored.

She also advised councillors she would be contacting Northumbria Police in relation to some of the matters.

A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said Mrs Lally had been put on "extended leave" and declined to comment further.